HR professionals have given a cautious welcome to Government proposals aimed
at easing recruitment problems in key areas including nursing and teaching.
The Government’s Housing Green Paper proposes offering interest free top-up
loans to prevent staff in areas where there are shortages being priced out of
the booming housing market.
Lew Swift, HR director at Aintree Hospital Trust, said if implemented, the
proposals would have greatest impact in London.
He said nurses in the capital are more likely to buy property because they
can move jobs without also moving home.
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"For some time we have known that if you were able to offer
accommodation or subsidised rent then it would be an inducement to staff.
"I would not pooh pooh the idea. My only reservation is that nurses
generally tend to move to other parts of the country before they have had a
chance to buy property. So I think it might have a limited application."
